MTN Rwanda, a subsidiary of the multinational telecommunications group MTN Group, was established in 1998. As of 2023, MTN Rwanda marked its 25th year of operation, celebrating its journey by planting 25,000 trees in Nyarugenge District, aligning with MTN Group's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The company is the largest telecommunications provider in Rwanda, with an estimated 7 million subscribers, accounting for 62% of the market share as of July 2023. MTN Rwanda's shares were listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange in May 2021, making it the first mobile network operator in the country to achieve this milestone. The ownership structure includes MTN International (Mauritius) Limited holding 55%, MTN REL (Mauritius) Limited with 25%, and retail investors owning 20%.
Country
Rwanda
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
MTN Group
MTN logo

3G Network

MTN Rwanda's journey into 3G technology began in 2008 as part of its broader strategy to enhance connectivity across the country. The deployment of the 3G network was a significant step in providing faster and more reliable internet services to its users, facilitating improved mobile internet experiences and supporting a range of data services with HSPA+ enabled at launch. The network used B1 and B8 bands.

Network Frequency Band Status Known UARFCNs
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
10737
B8 (900 MHz)
Active
2962
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

The development of MTN Rwanda's 4G network marked a pivotal moment in the company's history. Initially, the 4G infrastructure market in Rwanda was monopolised by Korea Telecom Rwanda Networks (KTRN), which provided wholesale LTE services. MTN Rwanda commercially launched its retail LTE services using KTRN's infrastructure on November 11, 2014. This launch was part of a broader initiative to provide high-speed internet services across Rwanda. In 2023, following the Rwandan government's decision to liberalise the 4G infrastructure market, MTN Rwanda received a modified license that enabled it to deploy its own 4G LTE network. On July 23, 2023, MTN Rwanda officially launched its independent 4G LTE network, covering 80% of its network sites. The company invested over RWF 26 billion in modernising its network infrastructure, aiming to offer faster, more affordable, and reliable connectivity. This upgrade was part of the updated Broadband Policy, which facilitated liberalised access to 4G and future technologies.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Status Known EARFCNs
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
524
B3 (1800 MHz)
Active
1434
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

As Rwanda prepares for a digital transformation, MTN Rwanda has been actively involved in modernising its network to support future technologies, including 5G. The company collaborated with Ericsson to overhaul its network in Kigali, deploying multi-band and multi-sector radios to optimise network operations and enhance energy efficiency. Although Rwanda has not yet fully benefited from 5G, these modernisation efforts are crucial in preparing for a wider 5G rollout. In October 2023, MTN Rwanda launched its first-ever live 5G network technology at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa in Kigali.

Date Event Subtype